Governance covers how the state delivers public services, maintains accountability, and reforms itself. For UPSC GS2, this section spans the mechanics of transparent administration — the Right to Information Act, anti-corruption institutions, civil services reform, e-governance models, administrative law, and international comparisons of good governance. These topics appear across Prelims (institutional facts, acts, bodies) and Mains (analytical questions on effectiveness, design, and reform).

Chapters

# Chapter Key Focus
1 RTI & E-Governance RTI Act 2005, CIC, social audit, Digital India, India Stack, e-governance models
2 Lokpal & Anti-Corruption Lokpal Act 2013, Lokayuktas, CBI, CVC, Prevention of Corruption Act
3 Civil Services Reform Lateral entry, performance appraisal, Mission Karmayogi, DOPT reforms
4 Role of Civil Services Civil services in democracy, neutrality, accountability, steel frame debate
5 Governance Reforms & Commissions 1st & 2nd ARC, Sarkaria, Punchhi, police reforms, Prakash Singh case
6 Administrative Law Delegated legislation, administrative tribunals, CAT, Article 323A/323B
7 Governance, Transparency & Accountability Citizens' Charter, Sevottam, social audit, grievance redressal, CPGRAMS
8 Decentralisation & Governance Outcomes 73rd & 74th Amendments, PRIs, ULBs, devolution, fiscal federalism
9 Good Governance — Metrics & Indices World Governance Indicators, EODB, HDI, SDGs, governance measurement